16 May Celebrating the 275 years of the death of our Founder, Fr. Joseph Anthony "Reawaken Marcheselli, we intensify our prayers for every sister in the Institute, so that we may the word ... always become more worthy children of such a Father, for a renewed commitment of a with the Gospel holy life, for a more significant presence in the Church and in the world. Let us also pray for of joy"

the laity who share the charism in many ways, so that they can joyfuly live in communion May –June with the Sisters with whom they have in common the spiritual journey and the journey of friendship. 2017

From the Testament of our beloved Fr. Marcheselli, we read: “Finally, I beg you not to forget the one who has written it. Pray for him during his lifetime, that he may be able to live that which he has written. Pray for him during his death, that the Lord out of his great mercy may grant him a place with him. Pray for him after death, so that when he leaves purgatory he may go to that most holy land, and have that highest contentment, of seeing you all entering, full of merit, and sanctity; and destined his head to be your footstool. So be it. Laus Deo” (Writtings, 298-299). What desire of sanctity had spurred our Founder! Him, who led a life of ascetism and very high sanctity, desired a lot more for us, to such an extent of asking to become “our footstool”, for that sanctity of life that will accompany us to God’s presence. Dear Sisters, Friends, may the Lord give you peace! “A true missionary is a ” says St. John Paul II in Redemptoris Missio; the message is clear, today, as it was yesterday, On 16 May we celebrate the 275 years of the birth of our Founder in heaven, Fr Joseph Anthony Marcheselli. our task is to commit ourselves in order to realise the dream of our Founder, which is God’s dream: see to it that you When he was alive, his dream was that of seeing a small gathering that is composed of holy souls, who are all lead a holy life. Therefore, we can celebrate the 275 years accompanied by the gift that we wish to give to our beloved dedicated to prayer, contemplation and works of mercy. In his death, he wished to see his sisters enter in paradise Founder: to be holy! full of merit, radiant with sanctity. In reality, our history talks of truly holy Sisters, who had laid a solid foundation to a charism that continues to become even more beautiful, thanks to these lives that were truly given, of truly consecrated women. With this inherited richness, our Small Gatherings worldwide continue to fuel the lamp that was lit by Fr. Marcheselli, for it to be a light to the many people whom the Lord entrusts in our care and whom he allows us to journey with towards the realization of His project of Love. The light has become warmer from the moment the many brothers and sisters had enriched the charism with their deisre for knowledge and embellished with their lives of affective charity. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

16 June We dedicate this day of prayer and missionary commitment to the sisters in the Italian Province, in their commitment towards the opening of new missions in favour of the later. The new small gatherings that will spring up may be new seedbeds of sanctity shared with others. The sisters of Zagabria The Italian Province, which is the mother Province of the Institute, has a story of grace and blessings which many Humanitarian action for a child .... generations of holy sisters have passed through, those who had laid a foundation of a spiritual reality thathas continued to give a good scent to the Church of God. Today, the Province is composed of “Small Gatherings” which take “Make your day sweet with the cakes made by us, make Tonkica happy, a wonderful on the spirit of the Founders of bearing witness to fraternity, service and prayer, in a Church that seeks to become more child!” These words were used as a message that accompanied this humanitarian action alive and present, on the journey of the New Evangelization, which calls for a true “conversion in order to convert”. in favour of Tonkica, a child who belongs to the group that is prepariing to receive the first The needs of the Church in Italy are many, and in the same way the requests of new presences are equally on the communion. With the help of our sisters, the children as well as the parents were increase, especially at the service of the most needy. The Province is doing everything possible to try and give adequate involved. The mothers had prepared cakes whereas the children made cards with their responses, while discerning on which ones are most urgent. Let us unite in prayer, asking the Spirit to enlighten us on the own designs, while the sisters displayed the cakes at the end of each Mass on Sunday at choices that the Province will have to give. the ; all this was done for the little girl Tonkica. The child is aged 10 and she has twice been the victim of ictus. Right now she is in hospital where she is undergoing rehabilitation, at a fee. We as sisters, are helping the parents spiritually. They are grateful Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi and they always say: “Thanks you, thanks for your closeness, for your prayers, which Via San Francesco, 13 - 06081 Assisi Tel. e Fax: 075/816825 - e-mail: [email protected] grant us the strength to go on with joy. We feel the closeness that comes from heaven when you are in our lives”. We also thank God because he gives us in order for us to help We are present: Italy - Corea - Cina - Russia - Zambia - USA - Cuba - Malawi - Filippines - Croatia - Kenya Tonkita durante -Romania - Mexico - Moldavia - Indonesia - Argentina - Japan - - San Marino - Germany - Vietnam others, and we continue asking him to make us “True Instruments of his peace”, thanking la riabilitazione. him for having chosen us to give this true witness of consecrated life, the rehabilitation. 8 by Nadia Roscini

Quite differently from overflowing that may his predecessor, Barak occur at the mining Obama (very active sites, pipe or gas lines. fighting pollution, who All this to the delight of signed, with 195 the oil tycoons! Countries, the COP21 Obviously all estimates Agreement to reduce of the social costs green house gas) Mr. involved, which justified Trump blatantly said he Obama’s environmental has no intention to policies shall be revised , respect the Agreement, due to “lack of this means the transparency” by Sr. Anna Uyen and Sr. Maria Nhung, from Vietnam cancellation of the During the year 2009 Agreement itself. president Obama’s The first three young women who did their novitiate in we now feel like sisters who are beginning their Ironically, this happened at the Headquarters of EPA, the administration asked a number of agencies to give the Philippines have gone back to Vietnam and they missionary life with responsibility, as Franciscans called American Agency for the protection of the environment. estimates of the social cost caused by a ton of CO2 (with share with us their desire to be missionaries among to love the poor. This is the end of all previous commitments taken by Mr. reference to the damage of either draught, flooding or their own people. We started working a day after our arrival, at the Parish Obama. such extreme events due to global warming. In 2015 the In view of the above, let’s try to examine the key points of cost was estimated at 36 US dollars. For many experts this “It’s like a dream. Four years ago, we started the Centre where they take care of children. The majority of this presidential decree. figure should be reviewed upwards, while Mr. Trump’s postulancy, followed by the novitiate in the Philippines, these children come from poor families, or devastated Revision of the Clean Power Plan (which aimed to reduce policy is ready to lower it as it considers only the damages a really joyous period, despite the challenges of having families and they need a lot of love and care to enable by 32% the level of emissions as of 2005 within the year caused in the USA, not those at global level. to adapt to the new culture, a new language and them feel part of a bigger family. In response to Pope 2030). However, in the opinion of some observers, many of the pastoral experience in Korea, with yet another new Francis, we shall continue to accompany, take care, and Revision of the law issued by Mr. Obama which compelled measures taken by Obama are so intertwined into the all new plants to significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The economic tissue of the USA that they might be weakened, language. Thereafter, there was a great moment of offer good and quality education to these children so that law in fact made it hardly possible to build new energy not cancelled. our lives, the day when we made our vows in the hands they can become active citizens in our society and that plants because of the excessive costs involved (CO2 was In fact many Companies are in the process of changing to of Sr. Martha, the Provincial Superior. We say they can experience the love of God through our humble to be separated and stored underground). more economical renewable energy sources. Therefore it “goodbye” to the Philippines, with profound gratitude missionary work. Please sisters, pray for us so that we We do not know at the moment what the new rules will is very unlikely that these new provisions may stop them. to the Philippine and Korean sisters, for having taken may follow the footsteps of our Founders.” be. It appears that Mr: Pruitt, the new director of EPA, is Still, what may be foreseen is the loss of determination to taking care of the issue (By the way, Mr. Pruitt has always reduce climate change. care of us, and for having instructed us to be true disputed, on legal ground, the environmental policies of If we want to try and survive, we need a big leap forward mothers; we are back in our country feeling quiet president Obama. Also, he is a known negationist of in this direction, not to keep the“ status quo”. mature. After spending some time in our families, our climate change. apostolic life has started. In the spirit of Pope Francis The moratorium regarding concessions to dig coal mines and in response to his invitation, we find ourselves in a on public property shall be cancelled. Many times in the past environmentalist groups new missionary territory – Rach Suc Church – in Can denounced how easily and cheaply these pieces of land Tho City- the biggest City in the South-eastern part of were sold; so much so that Obama had to reduce the the Country. The majority of the people in this mission number of licenses in 2016. This rule, too, shall be are poor and non-Catholic. cancelled “in order to create new jobs”. We only carried few things when we came to this place, This policy is being criticized by many economic observers as the impulse to increase mining activities may not some utensils, and three packs of personal clothes. We necessarily create new jobs, as a lot of progress has been live in a missionary station, where a priest has offered made using extracting machinery, as asserted by Mr. us two small rooms, without a kitchen. After putting Robert Godby (an economist at University of Wyoming). everything in place, we looked at ourselves and we Also the laws for methane emissions resulting from the smiled: all was the same like when we started four The three young Vietnamese sisters processing of gas or oil shall be revised The Obama administration targeted a 40% reduction as of years ago at in Ho Chi Min, the first community in on the day of their first profession. 2012 within the year 2025 by issuing laws that obliged the Vietnam. Everything is the same, but we feel different, Companies to repair immediately any leakage or

2 7 by Sr. Dolores Caneo The Sisters from Indonesia

As already anticipated in the previous bulletins, we begin today a series of articles, referred to the summary of the Social Society, to escavate a well to provide water for the Doctrine of the Church written in 2004 by the then pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. The summary contains Leprosarium of Lou Simomo, where many Leprosy patiens teachings of the Church regarding the social doctrine for the development of an integral humanism (i.e of the whole live, with their families. These families were supposed to live with 40 litres water per persone per day. The charity person) and is in agreement. Each of our commitment to the evangelization , in the service, in the apostolate and in the of these friends has allowed to have the bathrooms mission, should be accountable to this teaching. In the introduction to the summary we read: the Church does not get repaired, new washing basins and a good shelther to work tired to announce the Gospel that gives salvation and true liberty even in temporal things. To the men and women of our in. Life for these 70 families has changed because where time, its companions on the journey, the Church offers its social doctrine. there is water, life changes for the best. When the Church ‘’accomplishes its mission of announcing the Gospel, it testifies to mankind, in the name of Christ, its dignity and its vocation to the communion of people; it teaches them the demands of justice and of peace, conforming to its divine wisdom’’. The people made new by the love of God are in position to change the rules and the quality of Sr. Teresa, Sr. Ima and Sr. Elsa ... relations and also the social structures: they are persons capable to take peace where there are conflicts; to build and cultivate fraternal relations where there is hatred., to search for peace where frustration of people by otherpeople dominates. It is only love that is capable to transform in a radical way the relationships of human beings that exist among The Indonesian Mission, opened in 2003, is a very flourishing reality, with many vocations ot Consecrated them. inserting in this prospective, each person of goodwill could foresee the vast horizon of justice and of human life that opens the hearts of many just by having a look at development in truth and wellbeing. these young ones full of enthusiasm and joy. Four of Many needy people await help, many who are oppressed await justice, many who are unemployed, await employment, them have already made Final vows and this allowed many people await respect: is it possible that in our time there should people dying of hunger? That remain illiterate? them to open a second community, with only Indonesian That do not access primary health care? That do not have a shelter? The scenario of poverty could become high. Sisters, in the City of Cikarang, in Jacarta. In this period, Definitely, to the old ways of poverty, new ways could be added; that invest also even the environment and the the Sisters from Medan, together with Korean Friends … to work in the new mission! from Singapore provided Funds from the St. Vincent categories deprived of the economic resources, but exposed to the desperation without sense; to the snare of drugs; to the abandonment of old age or sickness; to the marginalization or to social discrimination… and to hold oneself in desperation in the face of prospective ecological ruin, that renders vast areas of the planet inhabitable and enemy of man. With regard to the problems of peace, often threatened with nightmare of catastrophic wars; or disregarding the fundamental human rights of many people, especially children. Kenya – Sr. Daria Kabwe, after her staying in Malawi, is now leaving for Kenya; Sr. Adelaide, a Humanity understands more clearly of being attached to a unique destiny that demands a common assumption of young Kenyan sister, will leave with her, to opend the new community in Malindi. The area is responsibility, inspired by acceptable integral humanism : sees that this unity of destiny is often conditioned by technical “transit” area where people coming into town to search for work live. We all know the situation or by economical and cautioned of the need for moral knowledge of the majority that orients a common journey. Faced of the coast where 2.700.000 people live with great scarcity of water and where insecurity is daily by the multitude of technological innovations, people of our time strongly desire that the progress be finalised for the bread because of the presence of El Shaabab. good of humanity of today and of tomorrow. In these hard times, our commitment should be continuously look towards the building up of this goodwill for all and not for a few. An aspect pertaining to justice and to the safeguarding of Zambia – Maria Pia and Sandro Martini, of the “We for Zambia” Association left for Zambia, where every year they work creation, in the message of Pope Francis for the campaign for fraternity, encourage by the Church in Brazil for the Lenten on strenghtening and improving projects that they have carried on for years. Orietta, their daughter i falso full time season of this year, it was looking at the theme of ecosystems and on the defending of human life, it read : there is need committed to implemment the life of the Association that works in favour of numerous children. to be conscious that the environmental degradation is accompanied by Vietnam – A new Catholic University is opening, after 60 years of expropriation by the Givernent of Universities and social injustice, and it is the poor people that pay for it. We can’t even Catholic schools. The church in Vietnam counts about 7.000.000 catholics and is rich in priestly and religious vocations consider the effects of environmental degradation, the actual mode of who are preparing to become missioneiries. development and the culture of rejection that is imposed on the life of a person. Mexico – There is rejection and suffering among the Mexican Bishops for the proposed building of the wall to be cut off This campaign invites us to contemplate, to admire, to thank and to from the United States of America. Meanwhile, Mexico confirms its willingness to continue allowing people from respect the diversity of that manifest in the different ecosystems of Central America to reach teh United States in search for a better life. The USA Episcopal Conference supports the Brazil; a true gift from God- through promotion of respectful position of the Mexican Bishops. relationships of the people that live in such contexts. Pope Francis Italia – On the 25th. March, the Diocese of Padova concluded the first phase for the beatification of the servant of God, emphasized that this was the greatest challenge in all parts of the Fr. Ezechiele Ramin, killed in Brasil, where he was defending the poor farmes, on the 24th. July 1985. His example earth because environmental degradation is always accompanied by Design for the campaign illumines the faith and commitment of the christian communities, strenghtening them in their commitent for the social injustice. of fraternity in Brazil 2017 struggle to have the land which is theirs.

6 3 The 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation by Clara Grillo remembered in Assisi Dear Kid sister, I friend was going on with the aim of improving the by Sr. Bernaveta Ciobanu wish to describe you conditions of life of this small village, seeing how really There was a meeting at the Franciscan Centre for Ecumenical Dialogue in Assisi (CEFID) on 18th March with the theme a bit to the readers one can do more with little. The friendship that she had “500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation”, where speakers specialized in ecumenism and Franciscanism in these few words, with Sr. Barbara and with other sisters of Assisi was strong participated. The meeting was divided into two parts: in the first part the following themes were analysed: Martin but it’s not easy, and even though I don’t know much about their Luther and the Protestant Reformation in Germany”, assigned to Jens-Martin Kruse, a pastor of the Evangelical because despite the relationship, one could perceive this affection from the joy Protestant church in Rome; “the spiritual protestant movements in Finland”, conducted by Taneli Ala-Opes a protestant fact that the things which she expressed with her eyes whenever she received pastor from Finland, and was concluded by “the Christians of the reformation, the Franciscan Friars and the cityof Barbara that I wish to say a text message or a phone call. In such situations and Assisi”, a topic that was entrusted to Fr. Silvestro Bejan, the OFM Conventual’s General delegate for ecumenism and are many, it’s not easy experiences of life, there’s a spontaneous coming to birth interreligious dialogue and Director of CEFID. The second part was dedicated to prayer and ecumenical celebration, to express myself with precision on certain aspects about of the desire to try and do something according to ones presided over by Fr. Francesco Lenti, the Rector of the post-novitiate, Franciscanum, and by Fr. Antti Kruus, a Finish you which are so delicate and profound, but eventually I capabilities; to a certain extent, after death, we have two protestant pastor. The choice of Assisi, other than its “obligation” owing to its character and ecumenical vocation, also would have to let myself be guided by the words which I very close friends of Sr. Barbara to reflect on what she came about due to the fact that for many reasons, in the city of the “poor man” the protestants “are at home”. know you would tell me at this moment … “let yourself be would have loved to do, how she would have loved to The contrast between the two figures of Francis and Luther which came out in the various inputs, were quiet guided by your heart and write with simplicity”… well, i’ll leave a message of “continuity”, in one way or the other. interesting. Francis of Assisi dedicated his whole life at the service of others and he imitated Jesus Christ, according to try… Barbara had lived with a long illness for about six Then came the idea of proposing a donation instead of his capability, dying with the stigmata on his hands and feet and lighted a light that illumines (and guides) the Church years, last July she became very sick, she was admitted in flowers or other things for the function. None of the three even today. Martin Luther, a German monk who knew very well the Franciscan spirituality, especially through St. the hospice and in February she passed on. Let me say of us at that moment had doubts, we all said “yes, Bonaventure and Duns Scot, and was irritated by the “sins” of the Church and its people, scandalised by the distance something about her illness because, though it was a certainly this is what she would have wanted”. The between the Church and the Gospel. Luther was a reformer very different from Francis, though they had in common the “pressing” illness, during the last months of her life, the message that is coming to my mind which I would want to inner depth and enthusiasm for the Christian faith, however, he was a son of other times and other countries and he illness could not take away her joy of living, she always leave for you is that of CONTINUITY; through the life of was a fighter armed with all the arms of the spirit and angry for the scripture, and he was ready to destroy all the deceit had a smile for everyone, was available, and much more…. Barbara and to a certain extent through the end of her and abuse in order to build. From the widespread relativism, he decided to make the Church better by condemning it. These experiences, this difficult path would certainly put earthly life. All the people who knew her and loved her This resulted into a schism, division, and centuries of war. One aspect that both of them have in common, was one to the test, but often times when we spoke to her we gathered to give a donation just as she would have loved; sentiment: they both loved God with zeal and dedication, with all their strength (physical), with all their mind (intellect), could also see the “potential” of what we ourselves were she was a gift to all and knowing that she can continue to and with all their heart (sentiment). In their lives, they dedicated and gave themselves to be at the service of God. But experiencing. It’s difficult to think of it. In certain be so for her long-distance friends who fight against there came a time when they had to decide whether to serve God or to serve their own project. One aspect that criticalities she was constrained to look into herself in a poverty and other difficult situations, is a message of LIFE distinguishes them is the reformation. The first one – a rich young man – preached a return to the origins, to simplicity more profound manner, to face her fears or to simply AND HOPE. Nothing dies, everything remains, it’s only that and evangelical poverty; he did this by serving the poor, by incarnating that which he was preaching and, above all, he learn how to live with the fact that one would not manage it is transformed a thousand time in a manner that we always acted in obedience to the Church and the Pope. The second one – an elderly monk – preached a return to to overcome them, but even that helps us to grow and to don’t even know; even in a difficult journey like the one simplicity and evangelical purity, but he had put one foot out and then the other foot outside the ; he discover more about ourselves. I often get to think that she had, especially in the last months of her life, can distanced himself from the Pope, from the tradition (apostolic) and eventually he no longer accomplished what he the experience I had with my sister in the last months of eventually leave a beautiful mark in peoples’ hearts, even preached. Together with him, millions of Catholics left the Church. The results were contrary. Francis, the poor man, her illness, the affection, which was communicated in a some form of practical help for the needy. reformed the Church. Martin, the monk, divided it, shattered it. Their works are known from their fruits. Where they simple glance, the comfrontation on difficult themes like Here my kid sister, I hope I said everything that you would God’s works or personal gestures? The German Church is called Lutheran because was founded by Luther, the Church death and many others, maybe I would not have lived it in have loved to say, together lets embrace all the friends in Rome, Instead is called Catholic, which means “universal”, Because it was founded by Christ, who is God. If it were to the entire life that I shared with her. You would say who are reading this with all the affection which we know be calledamasse “the Franciscan Church” one would say “simple consolation”, maybe yes, but this is our journey you are capable of! Continue to guide us from where you that something. and I know that we have an obligation towards ourselves are! and towards those who leave us here on earth to live life to the full with love and a positive approach to LIFE. Let’s now go back to her… In some of our discussions, Barbara spoke to me about her dear friend, Sr. Barbara from the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi and of what she was doing in Zambia. When she received a text message from Sr. Barbara or the videos of children, and celebrations with marvelous songs, she would share with me, her friends and she was very happy to see how even The photo on top: was during the meeting in their poverty these children, men and women always The photo on the right: was during the ecumenical prayer had a smile, seeing the particular strength with which this Barbara during a meeting at Casa Emmaus in Assisi

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